American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Practice Test

To what extent should a client have access to their medical records?

1. Only when their referring provider has approved it

2. Full access at any time

3. Only when formally requested

4. Only if it is pertinent to their recovery

The correct answer is: Full access at any time

Clients should have full access to their medical records at any time due to their fundamental rights under various health privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. These laws are designed to empower patients by providing them with the ability to view and manage their personal health information, ensuring transparency and fostering a greater understanding of their own health status. Allowing clients full access to their medical records promotes an informed partnership between the client and the healthcare provider. It enables clients to take an active role in their treatment, understand previous diagnoses, tracking progress, and discussing any concerns they may have with their provider. This open access is essential for facilitating continuity of care, especially in the context of massage therapy and complementary treatments, where understanding a client’s medical history can greatly influence treatment efficacy and safety. In contrast, limitations on access, such as requiring approval from a referring provider, restricting access to certain requests, or tying access to relevance for recovery, can hinder the therapeutic relationship and the comprehensive approach to patient health management.